David Jones' injury-time free-kick hauled Derby level on points with Coca-Cola Championship leaders Birmingham as they claimed three precious points over Sheffield Wednesday at Pride Park.

The former Manchester United midfielder swung in a delighful curling 20-yard shot from wide on the right in the 94th minute after substitute Craig Fagan, making his debut for the Rams, was felled by Tommy Spurr.

It was tough luck on Brian Laws' side, who had looked set to extend their unbeaten away run to five games with a dogged display dominated by defenders.

But it was the home side who had the better of the chances. Steve Howard could have had a hat-trick of headers and Arturo Lupoli had a chance cleared off the line.

It was a case of deja vu for the Rams, who scored a last-gasp winner through Paul Peschisolido against the Owls earlier in the season.

But they were almost caught napping after only a few seconds when two ex-players combined well.

It was easy to see how the Owls have won four away games on the spin with their quick counter-attacking football when Marcus Tuday broke free down the right before crossing to another former County player, Deon Burton, but Marc Edworthy was able to glance the ball away for a corner.

Billy Davies' side, second in the Championship before kick-off found their feet and began to turn the screw.

Scotland international Gary Teale, making his debut following a £600,000 move from Wigan, seemed to be enjoying himself down the right flank, proving a constant menace for the Owls defence.

Howard, who already has 10 league goals to his name this season could have scored three headers - the best chance coming from Teale's cross to the back post midway through the opening period which was nodded over the angle of post and bar.

The winger forced an early corner, from which Lupoli's header was cleared off the line by Kenny Lunt before Lee Bullen eventually cleared to safety.

Teale's teasing cross called Bullen into action again, the Owls skipper heading over his own crossbar from four yards with Howard ready to pounce.

Wednesday had chances of their own and, in the 19th minute, Chris Brunt almost netted his ninth Championship goal of the season with a low 25-yard drive which fizzed wide of the right post.

Again Howard demonstrated his his aerial ability, heading just wide from 10 yards from Jones' inswinging corner.

And the home side were almost made to pay for their missed chances late on when Brunt's defence-splitting pass caught out the Rams rearguard.

Tudgay elected to take the ball first time on the volley but sent his shot wide, as the score remained goalless at the interval.

It was Wednesday who were again the quickest out of the blocks in the second period when Lunt's snapshot was athletically turned behind by Stephen Bywater.

Laws' side began to look the more likely to make a breakthrough with Tudgay's whipped cross from the right somehow managing to evade everyone in the box - including the advancing Burton and strike-partner Steve MacLean.

Davies, who has already spent £3.1million in the transfer window this month, did his best to force a winner by bringing on debutants Fagan and Stephen Pearson - arrivals from Hull and Celtic respectively - midway through the second half.

Eventually the change told, as Fagan earned the free-kick from which Jones dramatically claimed the three points to send the home fans into raptures.

Derby Bywater, Edworthy, Leacock, Moore, Camara,Barnes (Fagan 63), Teale (Bisgaard 72), Jones,Seth Johnson (Pearson 64), Howard, Lupoli.

Subs Not Used: Michael Johnson, Malcolm.

Goals: Jones 90.

Sheff Wed Crossley, Simek, Bougherra, Bullen, Spurr, Tudgay,Lunt, Whelan, Brunt (Small 69), Burton, MacLean (Graham 90).

Subs Not Used: Adamson, Coughlan, Folly.

Booked: Simek, Crossley, Spurr.

Att: 28,936

Ref: C Oliver (Northumberland).